Ask Hello. Nappers and Quiet Keepers: Preschool Rest Time
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强奸视频鈥檚听HELLO听online forum is a great place to have conversations and create connections with peers around important early learning issues.
In a recent Hello discussion, a director sought advice on nap time practices.
Question:
I have been researching the value of nap/rest time for preschool-age children. Preschool programs typically have 30-minute to 2-hour rest periods. I would like to pick other educators鈥� brains about practices for preschoolers鈥� rest time.
鈥擝etty, Kansas City, Missouri
Responses:
Responses focused on ways to create a peaceful nap time environment and ideas for activities for children who don鈥檛 sleep. Here are excerpts from the feedback Betty received.
This teacher describes how she creates a relaxing environment by adjusting the lights and playing calming music. She offers quiet alternative activities for children who don鈥檛 sleep or don鈥檛 sleep for a long time.
Our kids, ages 3鈥�5 years, rest on mats, with the lights dimmed, between 12:30 and 2:30 p.m. The younger children listen to quiet, restful music (try yoga channels on YouTube or Pandora). The older children start with an online story (listening only, no screen watching), then move to calming music. After 45 minutes, they can have their 鈥渜uiet keeper鈥� boxes鈥攕hoe boxes with quiet activities they can do on their mats. They are quietly and happily occupied until the lights go on.
鈥擜bigail, Sharon, Massachusetts
This member describes how she talks with children about the importance of resting and gives another example of options for children who don鈥檛 sleep.
I believe rest time is very important for young children. (I don鈥檛 call it nap time because some children do not sleep.) Some children don鈥檛 get enough sleep at home, so having the opportunity to rest at school is helpful and healthy. I tell the children they are resting their bodies and resting their minds. The length of time depends on the children鈥檚 ages. I have taught in a classroom where the children were ages 3鈥�5. Since the length of time scheduled for rest was the same for all, we had books and quiet toys (like puzzles) available for those who didn鈥檛 sleep or who woke up early. My only requirement was that the children respect those who were asleep by being quiet. So they understood that this was not a time to talk and play.
鈥擳awanna, Raleigh, North Carolina
Do you have questions or suggestions to share with your peers?
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